Amanda and Moose & Violet from Boxer Rescue Fund, Inc Los Angeles

Our Story:I have grown up with dogs. There has never been a time that I did not have dogs in my life and house. But a year ago I had to put down my two dogs, a German Shepherd and a Spaniel mix due to health and age issues. It was the first time I had ever been without the “shadow” in the house, that presence that lets you know you are not alone.

For two weeks, I was alone in the house. Then, unable to stand the silence any longer, I contacted Boxer Rescue LA as I had adopted from them over a decade before. I asked to meet their available dogs.They showed me one after another and all I could think was “not this one, not that one”.

Then they brought out Moose, a big, late-altered male. He had gold eyes, rare for a Boxer. His jaw was slightly crooked and his huge tongue hung out the side of his mouth. He was 3 years old, and had grown up with a family of six. But they had lost their home and couldn’t take him.

Our eyes met and we took a walk together. He gave me big sloppy Boxer kisses and hugs. Yup, this was my dog.Then they brought out 8 month old Violet. She had been a stray and was picked up by a shelter worker who had tried to give her a good home, but found out how much energy boxer puppies have. She completely ignored me and headed straight for Moose. They hit it off immediately.

I brought both dogs home and began to settle into our normal routine. It took almost a year for Moose to settle in, but Violet was at home the moment she walked through the door.Now, a year later, Moose is in love with his “harem” of females and takes over much of the bed each night. Violet has never lost her goofy boxer puppy play and gets Moose riled and running every morning.

Where we walk is a nursing home that allows us to visit outside the facility. It took a few months, but now we have a group of 5-7 people coming outside the nursing home every morning to greet Moose and Violet (I am completely irrelevant.) What surprised me the most was Violet’s calm around the older, more fragile people. She moves slowly, gently nuzzling here and there. That was something I never taught her.